Zanj Rebellion. 'Ali b. Muhammad. AH 258-271 / AD 872-884. AR Dirham (24.6mm, 2.99 g, 3h). Al-Madinat al-Mukhtara mint. Dated AH (263) (AD 876/7). Good Fine.

Islamic Auction 7 - Session One
Lot: 197. Estimated: $ 1 500

Pre-Mongol Iran, Silver

Sold For $ 2 625. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Zanj Rebellion. 'Ali b. Muhammad. AH 258-271 / AD 872-884. AR Dirham (24.6mm, 2.99 g, 3h). Al-Madinat al-Mukhtara mint. Dated AH (263) (AD 876/7). Obverse field: la ilaha illa / Allah wahdahu / la sharik lahu / Muhammad ibn / amir al-mu’minin / Reverse field: ‘Ali / Muhammad / rasul / Allah / al-Mahdi 'Ali ibn Muhammad. Album 1432; ICV 1424; cf. Morton & Eden 92 (26 April 2018), lot 113 (same dies). Good Fine. Extremely rare.

The name ‘Zanj’ survives in the modern place-name Zanzibar.  They were Black African slaves, brought into southern Iraq to improve agricultural land by clearing away salt. Their living and working conditions were appalling, and in AH 255 they revolted under the leadership of the ‘Ali b. Muhammad mentioned on this coin. He was a Persian ‘Alid, who proclaimed himself the Mahdi and waged a vicious campaign against the caliph, which saw great destruction and loss of life.

The town of al-Madinat al-Mukhtara was founded by the Zanj downstream from Basra. It was completely destroyed in AH 270 when the revolt was finally quashed by the caliph’s brother, al-Muwaffaq, so that its location is not certain.

Closing Date and Time: at 15:05:20 ET.